Butte County
Biographies
HERMAN J. BLOCK
HERMAN J. BLOCK.--An enterprising,
successful young man, who is a general social favorite and entertains royally,
is Herman J. Block, who is much interested in the early annals of the state,
and no wonder, for, as the scion of the most prominent farmer and stockman of
his time, he is closely related to those who helped make the history of
California. His father was Henry Block, a native of Bremen, Germany, where he
was born on March 9, 1833. Twenty years later he came to New York; and after
clerking for a couple of years, he pushed on west to San Francisco by way of
Panama. In the Bay metropolis, such as it was, he clerked another six months;
and then he went to Yuba County and for five months tried his luck at mining.
He next moved to Red Bluff and engaged in the selling of merchandise; and after
three years he located on six hundred forty acres near what is now Gridley,
four miles to the southwest of the town. He engaged in grain and stock-raising,
bought more land, and finally had nine hundred acres of rich soil that yielded
good crops; and when he had made many improvements, he experimented in the
raising of fine horses for driving. To accomplish the best results, he saw that
he must train as well as breed the animals; and he therefore erected a
half-mile track, on which he exercised the steeds. His thoroughbred horses
became famous, and he rapidly accumulated wealth. He continued farming until he
retired; and then he built a handsome residence in Gridley. Honored by all, a
favorite with a wide circle, he enjoyed the leisure of his last years, and
peacefully passed away at his home, on July 7, 1905. He was one of
the first aldermen in Marysville, and was also a school trustee, active in
educational work.
The elder Block was, in fact, one of Butte
County’s most energetic and successful farmers, and he will long and pleasantly
be remembered for his association with this part of California and her
progress. He began his career a poor man in what was to prove to him the Golden
State; but he persisted, and with untiring labors he overcame obstacles and
eventually became one of the county’s solid and influential men. He was a
helpful optimist and had great faith in the value of lands in the Sacramento
Valley; and he lived to see his most extravagant dreams realized, and to
witness the price of land advance from one dollar and a half an acre to five
hundred.
Herman J. Block, the youngest son, was
born on the Henry Block Ranch, on December 23, 1876, and was reared in that
vicinity, while he attended public schools here, at Marysville and at Oakland.
He also studied at Woodman’s Academy at Chico. He learned farming while a lad,
and having been particularly well drilled in the care of stock, he returned
home when he was seventeen and took charge of his father’s ranch. In 1902 he
leased the ranch and operated it for stock and grain; and he now owns two
hundred forty acres of the old ranch, including the old place, where he built a
new residence and kept up the improvements. In addition, he leases four hundred
acres adjoining, a part of which he has in alfalfa, although he is also engaged
in raising considerable grain. He is engaged in both the raising, and buying
and selling, of cattle and hogs, and because of his sound judgment, foresight,
enterprise and conscientious methods in prosecuting trade, he has kept
constantly busy, and never wants for the most profitable and flattering
patronage.
For years Mr. Block has taken a keen
interest in politics and has carefully noted movements for raising the standard
of citizenship, and as a Republican has been enthusiastic in civic endeavor. As
one much attached to the section in which both he and his father have met with
their greatest prosperity, he is always ready and anxious to advance any
enterprise calculated to improve and enrich the town or county. He is thus
worthily sustaining the reputation he inherited as the son of Henry Block, the
pioneer.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
02 August 2008.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages
999-1000, Historic Record
Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies